One of the first questions clients ask me after closing is:
“What utilities do I need to set up, and who do I call?”
North Texas is unique because utility providers vary by city, by neighborhood, and sometimes by street.
Electricity is deregulated. Water is city-run. Gas depends on the area. Internet options depend on infrastructure.
So I created this guide to walk you through exactly what to set up and how.
1. Electricity (Deregulated in Most of North Texas)
In most areas—Frisco, Plano, McKinney, Prosper, Celina, Little Elm, Allen, The Colony, Aubrey—you can choose your electricity provider.
We have a deregulated market, which means:
✔️ You shop for your rate
✔️ You select the contract length
✔️ You choose the provider
The best way to compare rates:
đź”— https://www.powertochoose.org
(This is the official, government-run comparison website.)
Things to compare:
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✔️ Rate per kWh
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✔️ Contract length (12, 24, 36 months)
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✔️ Early termination fees
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✔️ Usage-based pricing tricks
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✔️ Renewable energy options
My advice:
Don’t choose the lowest advertised rate.
Choose the plan with the lowest average cost at your typical usage (usually 1,500–2,000 kWh/month).
2. Water, Sewer & Trash (City-Run)
Water and trash service are handled by the city, not the state or private companies.
Here’s the breakdown for major North Texas cities:
Frisco
https://www.friscotexas.gov/
Set up through: Utility Billing Department
Prosper
https://www.prospertx.gov/
Water + trash included
McKinney
https://www.mckinneytexas.org/
All utilities combined into one bill
Celina
https://www.celina-tx.gov/
Trash typically handled through city partnership
Little Elm
Plano
The Colony
Aubrey / Providence Village / 380 Corridor
Some areas use SUDs (Special Utility Districts):
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Mustang SUD
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Oak Point Water Control
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Marilee SUD
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Aqua Texas
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Cross Oak Ranch MUD
Water districts vary widely.
I provide your specific district details after closing.
3. Natural Gas (Atmos or CoServ)
North Texas natural gas is not deregulated.
You’ll use whichever company covers your area.
✔️ Most of North Texas → Atmos Energy
https://www.atmosenergy.com
✔️ Certain neighborhoods in Frisco, Prosper, Celina → CoServ Gas
If your home is all-electric, you’ll have NO gas provider.
4. Internet & TV (Depends on Your Neighborhood)
Here are the major providers and where they typically operate:
A) AT&T Fiber
Available in:
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Frisco
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McKinney
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Prosper
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Celina
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Plano
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Little Elm
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The Colony
If you have the option for fiber, choose it.
It’s far more reliable than cable.
B) Spectrum
Available in:
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Frisco
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McKinney (some areas)
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Little Elm
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The Colony
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Parts of Prosper/Celina
Great speeds, but reliability varies by neighborhood.
C) Frontier Fiber
Rapidly expanding in:
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Frisco
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Prosper
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McKinney
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Celina
One of the best-performing fiber networks in NTX.
D) CoServ Internet (select neighborhoods)
Some newer communities include CoServ broadband.
E) HOA-Included Internet
Some North Texas communities include internet (or even cable) in HOA dues.
Examples:
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Phillips Creek Ranch (Frisco) – AT&T included
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Inspiration (Wylie) – Fiber options
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Union Park (Aubrey) – HOA covers basic package
I confirm this for clients during the inspection period.
5. Trash & Recycling
Trash is handled by the city or a contracted provider.
Typical schedule:
✔️ Weekly trash
✔️ Bi-weekly or weekly recycling
✔️ Bulk pickup monthly or by request
Cities like Frisco have extremely organized sanitation programs—including:
✔️ Bulk item drop-off
✔️ Recycling centers
✔️ Household chemical disposal
I send clients their city’s specific trash calendar automatically after closing.
6. Smart Home, Security & Cameras
Most homeowners choose:
✔️ ADT
✔️ Vivint
✔️ SimpliSafe
✔️ Ring
✔️ Arlo
✔️ Google Nest
If you’re building new construction, many builders pre-wire for:
✔️ Security panels
✔️ Door sensors
✔️ Camera lines
✔️ Smart thermostat
✔️ Cat6 internet drops
I help you understand what your home is wired for.
7. What You MUST Set Up Before Move-In
✔️ Electricity
✔️ Water
✔️ Sewer
✔️ Gas (if applicable)
✔️ Internet (optional but recommended)
✔️ Trash service (often included automatically)
If you don’t set these up early:
❌ You may move into a hot/cold home
❌ Internet may take weeks to schedule
❌ Water may not be active day one
❌ Trash may not be picked up
I give clients a customized list based on their exact address.
8. How I Help Clients With Utilities Setup
When you buy a home with me, I provide:
✔️ A utility checklist based on your address
✔️ The exact electricity providers available
✔️ The specific water district you belong to
✔️ Your trash schedule
✔️ Your gas provider
✔️ Internet options for your neighborhood
✔️ Links to set up everything online
✔️ A personalized move-in timeline
I make sure nothing is missed.
9. My Rule of Thumb
Set up utilities 3–5 days before closing so everything is active the day you move in.
Bottom Line: Utility Setup in North Texas Can Be Confusing—But I Make It Easy
North Texas has a mix of deregulated electricity, city-run water, district-based utilities, and neighborhood-specific services.
When I represent you, I make sure:
✔️ Everything is activated on time
✔️ You know your exact providers
✔️ You get the best electricity rate
✔️ You have all your links and forms
✔️ Move-in day is smooth and stress-free
No homeowner should feel confused during their first week in a new house.
Moving Into a New Home? Need Help With Utility Setup?
I’m happy to send you a custom utility setup list based on your exact address.
